Dollars for Scholars committee raising scholarship funds

Now in its 22nd year, the Minneota Dollars for Scholars continues to raise money to present scholarships to Minneota High School seniors that are planning on attending a post-secondary institution.
The Dollars for Scholars program sponsors several types of fundraisers for scholarships. The Minneota Dollars for Scholars scholarship funds comes from donations from area businesses and individuals, endowments, memorials and fundraisers.
The Dollars for Scholars committee attempt to raise at least $5,000 yearly. Some of the fundraisers include 50/50 at football, free-throw shooting at basketball games, and sundaes during intermission at the fall musical production.
Again this year, the Dollars for Scholars program is attempting to raise additional money through a mailing that was sent out last week to residents of Minneota and Ivanhoe. The one-page newsletter explains who we are and what we do, as well as asking for a donation. Dollars for Scholars has been pleased with the response to these mailings in past years.
Dollars for Scholars is a national network of community-based and volunteer-operated scholarship foundations throughout the United States as part Scholarship America’s national network of locally-based chapters. The Minneota chapter was formed in 2001, and since that time, has raised and awarded Minneota High School graduates with more than $300,000 to help support their continuing education goals.
Minneota High School graduates of 2021 were awarded $34,000. That amount also includes “named” scholarships which are managed through the Dollars for Scholars program. Named scholarships include donations from individuals, businesses or organizations that may target specific criteria. For example, many times they want their scholarship to go to someone entering a certain field of study.
Prior to Minneota Dollars for Scholars students were asked to apply for each scholarship individually. Now they can apply for numerous scholarships by filling out just one online form. Another advantage to this system is that some post-secondary institutions no longer reduce financial assistance but may match any Dollars for Scholars scholarship.
Currently, there is an awards committee that reviews each student’s application. A points system takes into account a brief essay the student writes, their activities, leadership, and their community service involvement. These points are then compiled. The committee meets, reviews the criteria for each named scholarship, and makes the award assignments.